Tape applying movement



p 5, 1953 A. E. JOHNSON 2,652,166

TAPE APPLYING MOVEMENT Filed. May 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 15, 1953 A. E. JOHNSON TAPE APPLYING MOVEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1950 AZZw'vze ys Sept. 15, 1953 A. E. JOHNSON 2,652,165

TAPE APPLYING MOVEMENT Filed May 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. E. JOHNSON TAPE APPLYING MOVEMENT Sept. 15, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 29, 1950 Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE APPLYING MOVEMENT Application May 29, 1950, Serial No. 165,035

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for applying normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to objects. It particularly concerns the parts that actually apply the tape, 1. e., the tape applying mechanisms or movements.

An objective is to provide such a movement that may be readily adapted to use in a variety of types of tape applying machines.

The invention provides a movement comprising a pivoted arm, a roller rot'atably mounted at the free end of the arm for conducting tape into adhesive engagement with the surface of an ob ject being taped at a tape applying station, a second roller rotatably mounted on the arm ad.- jacent the first roller, a passive tape severing means adjacent the applying station, means for impelling the free end of the arm toward the station with a length of tape extending between the rollers, the non-adhesive side of the tape fac ing the periphery of the first roller, and means for impelling the free end of the arm away from the station after a length of tape has been applied to the object, to bring the taps into operative engagement with the severing means at a point between the first roller and the object.

The severing means may be stationary in its normal position adjacent the tape applying station or it may be rendered removable therefrom, as by mounting it on a second pivoted arm.

Illustrative embodiments are described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram of a one arm movement;

Figure 2 is a diagram of a two arm movement on a single axis;

Figure 3 is a diagram of a two arm movement on separated axes;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are diagrams of a two arm movement on separated axes with one arm pivoted on the other, showing the parts in successive positions during the operation of the movement;

Figure 7 is a diagram of a tape applying machine employing the movement of Figure l; and

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram iorthe machine of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 1, and arm l5, pivoted about an axis 16, has a first roller l'l rotatably mounted on its free end. A second roller 13 is rotatably mounted on the arm in peripheral contact with the first roller H, i. e., the peripheries of the two rollers are in tangential contact.

A roll [9 of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 20 is mounted for rotation about the axis IS. The tape is led from the roll along the arm 15 and between the rollers l7 and I8 with its non-adhesive side facing the first roller I! so that when trained around the first roller I! it will be tacky side out for adherence to the surface of an object 2| being taped.

, The point of tangential contact 22 between the periphery of the first roller ii and the surface of the object 2i being taped, and the immediate vicinity, is sometimes referred to herein as the tape applying station.

A fixed knife 23 is positioned adjacent the tape applying station at a point which may be described as being beyond the first roller ii in respect to the movement of the object it in the direction of the arrow 27.

The free end of the arm id is impelled toward the applying station by a spring 2 3 which acts upon an angular extension 25 of the arm l5. It is impelled away from the station by the solenoid 26.

In operation the object is propelled in the direction of the arrow 21 along a path leading past the applying station with the object 2| in contact with the tacky side of the tape 25, and tape is thereby applied, as shown in Figure 1, the movement of the object serving to withdraw tape from the roll I9.

When a desired length has been applied, the solenoid 26 is actuated and impels the free end of th arm it away from the station until the tape 20 is drawn against the knife 23 and is thereby severed at a point between the first roller ll and the object 2|.

The arm l5 remains in a raised position until the next succeeding object to be taped has been advanced to the station, whereupon the solenoid 26 is de-energized, the spring 2% impels the first roller ll into contact with the object, and the cycle is repeated.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a first arm 39, pivoted about an axis 3%, has a first roller 32 rotatably mounted at its free end. A second roller 33 is rotatably mounted on the arm in peripheral contact with the first roller 32.

A roll 3 2 of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 35 is mounted for rotation about the axis iii. The tape is led from the roll along the arm 36 and between the rollers and 33 with its non-adhesive side facing the first roller so that when trained around the first roller 32 it will be tacky side out for adherence to the surface of an object 36 being taped.

A second arm 31, pivoted about the axis 3i, has

a ghird roller 3% rotatably mounted at its free en A knife 39 is fixed on the second arm 31 near the end of the arm, located so that when the parts are in tape applying position, such as is shown in Figure 2, the knife is positioned adjacent the tape applying station beyond the first roller 32 in respect to the movement of the object 36 in the direction of the arrow 40.

The immediate vicinity of the points of tangential contact 4i and 42 between the peripheries of the first and third rollers 32 and 33, respectively, and the surface of the object 3.8 being taped, is regarded as the tape applying station in the embodiment of'Figure 2.

The free end of the first arm 30 is impelled toward the applying station by a spring 43, the free end of the second arm 3? by a spring 44'...

The free ends of both the arms iidand 31 are impelled away from the station by a solenoid 45 which is connected to the first arm 30. When the solenoid is energized, the first arm 3% moves alone in the direction of the arrow 46 until it engages the pin 4'! on the second arm 3'? whereby the second arm is moved by the first and the two then move in unison away from the station.

In operation the object 36 to be taped is rotated in the direction of the arrow it in a position to have its surface advance along a path leading past the applying station with the surface in contact with the tacky side of the tape 35,,and tape is thereby applied, as shown in Figure 2, the rotation of the object serving to withdraw tape from the roll 34.

When a desired length has been applied, the solenoid :5 is actuated and draws the free end of the first arm away from the station until the tape is drawn against the knife 39 and is thereby severed at a point between the first roller 32 and the object 36. Thereafter the moving first arm (it engages the pin 4'! and both arms move in unison away from the station.

The two arms 36 and 31 remain in a withdrawn position until the next succeeding object to be taped has been positioned at the tape applying station, whereupon the solenoid is de-energized, the springs 43 and 44 impel the rollers 32 and 35 into contact with the object, and the cycle is repeated.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a first arm 50 pivoted about an axis St has a first roller 52 rotatably mounted at its free end. A second roller 53 is rotatably mountedon the arm in peripheral contact with the. first roller 52.

A roll lid of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 55 is mounted for rotation about the axis 5i. The tape is led from the roll along the arm 50 and between the rollersEZ andES with its non-adhesive side facing the first roller 52 so that when trained around the first roller 52 it will be tacky side out for adherence to the surface of an object 56 being taped,

A second arm 51, pivoted aboutv an axisfiii, has a third roller 59 rotatably mounted at its; free end.

A knife 69 is fixedon thearmil near the end of the arm, locatedand positionedso that, when 1e parts are in tape applying position, such as is shown in Figure 3, the knife ispositioned adjacent the applying station and beyond the first roller 52 in respect to the movement of the object 53 in the direction of the arrow B l.

The immediate vicinity of the points of tangential contact 62 and 63 between the peripheries of the first and third rollers 52 and 59, respectively, and the surface of the object 58 being 4 taped, is regarded as the tape applying station in this embodiment.

The free end of the first arm 59 is impelled toward the applying station by a solenoid 64, the free end of the second arm 5? by a spring 65. The free end of the first arm is impelled away from the station by a spring 66.

In operation the object 56 to be taped is propelled in the direction of the arrow 61 along a path leading past the applying station with the surface of the object in contact with the tacky side of the tape 55, and tape is thereby applied, as shown in Figure 8, the movement of the object serving to withdraw the tape from the roll 54.

When a desired length has been applied, the solenoid E4 is de-energized and the spring 83 then draws the free end of the first arm 55? away from the station in the. direction of the arrow 6? until the tape 55 is drawn against the knife 6i and is thereby severed at a point between the first roller 52 and the object 56.

The first arm 59 remains in a raised position until the next succeeding object to be taped has been advanced to the applying station, whereupon the solenoid 64 is energized and acts to impel the first roller 52 into contact with the surface of the object 56, and the cycle is repeated.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a first arm Ti] pivoted about axis "H, has a first roller 72 rotatably mounted at its free end. A second roller 13 is rotatably mounted on the arm in peripheral contact with the first roller ii.

A roll "id of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape it is mounted for rotation about the axis "it. The tape is led from the roll along the first arm 5G and between the rollers '12 and 73 with its non-adhesive side facing the first roller '62 so that when trained around the first roller 72 it will be tacky side out for adherence to the surface of an object E6 being taped.

A second arm TI is mounted on the first arm ii? in a manner to pivot about an axis 78. A third roller 79 is rotatably mounted'at the free-end of the second arm 11.

A knife 88 is fixed on the second arm "near the end of the arm, located so that when the parts are in tape applying position, such as is shown in Figure 4, the knife is positioned adjacent the tape applying station and beyond the first roller 72 in respect to the movement of the object 56 past the station in the direction of the arrow 8|.

The immediate region of the points of contact 82 and 83 of the rollers 12 and 19 with the object 16, is regarded as the tape applying station in this embodiment.

The free end of the first arm it is impelled toward the applying station by a spring 84, the free end of the second arm 1? by a spring 85.

The free ends of both the arms ii! and Hare impelled away from the station manually by means of a handle 86 fixed to the first arm Hi. When the handle (it is moved in the direction of the arrow 81, the first arm 10 moves alone in the direction of the arrow 38 until a pin 89 on the first arm It! engages the second arm TI whereby the second arm is moved by the first in the direction of the arrow 99, and the two then move in unison away from the station.

In operation the Object I6 to be taped is 1'0- tated in the direction of the arrow 8| in a posie tion to have its surface advance along a path leading past the applying station with the surface in contact with the tacky side of the tape 15, and tape is thereby applied, as shown in Figure 4, the rotation of the object 16 serving to withdraw tape from the roll 14.

When a desired length has been applied, the free end of the first arm 1s drawn away from the station by the handle 80 until the tape is drawn against the knife 80 and is thereby severed at a point between the first roller 12 and the object 10 (Figure 5). Thereafter, continued movement of the first arm 10 with the pin 89 and the second arm 11 in engagement, moves both arms away from the station to the withdrawn position shown in Figure 6.

The two arms 10 and 11 are held in the said withdrawn position until the next succeeding object to be taped has been positioned at the applying station, whereupon the handle 80 is released and the springs 84 and 85 impel the arms 10 and 11 back into the applying position shown in Figure 4 with the rollers 12 and 10 in contact with the object, and the cycle is repeated.

The movements provided by this invention, as

exemplified by those shown in Figures 1 to 6, may be employed in a wide variety of packaging, sealing, taping, labeling, wrapping or other machines or apparatus that perform operations that include the step of applying tape to a surface of an object.

' An example of such a machine and of how the movements provided by this invention may be employed in such machines, is shown in Figures '1 and 8. The machine there shown is for applying measured lengths of tape to the surfaces of flat relatively thin objects, such for example as wrapped packages of sliced bacon. It employs the movement of Figure 1.

An arm I00, pivoted about an axis IOI, has a first roller I02 rotatably mounted at its free end. A second roller I03- is rotatably mounted on the arm in peripheral contact with the first roller I02.

A roll I04 of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive tape I05 is mounted for rotation about an axis I06 at a point removed from the arm I00. The tape is led from the roll along the arm I00 and between the rollers I02 and I03 with its non-adhesive side facing the first roller I02 so that when trained around the first roller I02 it will be tacky side out for adherence to th surface of the object I01.

A fixed knife I08 is positioned adjacent the applying station and beyond the first roller I02 in respect to the movement of the object I01 in the direction of the arrow I09.

The applying station is the immediate region of the point of contact IIO between the first roller I02 and the object I01.

The free end of the arm I00 is impelled toward the applying station by a solenoid I I I. It is impelled away from the station by a spring H2.

The object I01 is propelled through the machine by an endless belt I I 3 which is continuously driven through conventional means (not shown) by a motor H4.

The closing of a line switch I I5 starts the motor and places the solenoid III in readiness. The object I01 is placed on the moving belt H3 and is thereby propelled in the direction of the arrow I00 along a path leading past the applying station.

When the object contacts the actuating roller H6 of the normally open micro switch II1, the switch is thereby closed, the solenoid I I I is energized, the first roller I02 is brought down upon the object, and tape is applied, as, shown in Figure 7, the movement of the object serving to withdraw tape from the roll I04.

. A second micro switch II8, normally closed, is positioned so that when a predetermined length of tape has been applied, the object will contact its actuating roller H9 and open the switch H8 to break the solenoid circuit. The spring II2 thereupon impels the free end of the arm I00 away from the station in the direction of the arrow I20 until the tape I05 is drawn against the knife I00 and is thereby severed at a point between the first roller I02 and the object I01.

The arm I00 remains in a raised position until the next succeeding object to be taped has been advanced into contact with the switch-actuating roller IIS, whereupon the solenoid is energized and impels the first roller I02 into contact with the object with the tape between them, and the cycle is repeated. I

Upon the contact of the roller I02 and the object with the tape between them at the beginning of a cycle, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the application of the leading end of the tape to the moving object causes a sudden strain on the surface of the object since it requires a relatively hard pull to withdraw tape of the type here employed, from a supply roll thereof, particularly at the start.

Consequently, where the object being taped is wrapped with paper which might tear under the initial strain, or might otherwise be harmed by the sudden pull, or where the tape tends to tear loose at the sudden initial pull, it is desirable to pre-strip; i. e., it is desirable to withdraw a short length of tape from the roll I04 before applying the leading end to the object.

To this end, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the second roller I03 is equipped with a ratchet means I2I which permits rotation of the roller I03 only in the direction of the feed of the tape. Additionally, an idler roller I22 is rotatably mounted on an extension I23 of the arm I00, the extension being generally opposite the first and second rollers I02 and I03 in respect to the pivot IN. The roller I22 is positioned so as to engage the span of the tape that extends from the supply roll I04 to the rollers I02 and I03 when the spring I I2 draws the arm I00 away from the applying station at the conclusion of a cycle.

This stroke of the arm I00 impels the roller I22 downwardly in the direction of the arrow I24. As a result, the leading end of the tape being anchored by its adherence to the one-way roller I03, a short length of tape is withdrawn from the roll I04 so that when the parts return to the applying position shown in Fig-ure '1 in readiness for a new cycle, the span of tape from the roll I04 to the rollers I02 and I03 will be a slack loop. As a result, the moving object is not called upon to withdraw tape from the roll I04 until a substantial length has been applied to the object and the strain on the surface of the object is thus distributed over a wider area.

A movement such as that shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 ha been constructed and successfully employed in the taping of the oval shaped covers of cardboard hat boxes, having the following dimensions in inches: axis H to axis 18, 3 /2; axis II to axis of roller 12, 6 axis 18 to axis of roller 19, 4 diameter of rollers 12 and 19, M diameter of roller 13, hat box cover 16, 14 x 12%.

A machine such as that shown in Figures 7 and 8 has been constructedand successfully-employed in the sealing of paper wrappedpackages of sliced.

bacon, having the following dimensionsin inches: axis it! to axis of roller I02, 1 axis iOi-to axis of roller I22, 1%; axis I! to axis I06, 5; axis of roller H6 to axisof roller H9, 8; diameter of.

roller E82, 4; diameter of roller. I03, package of bacon [B1, 9 x 6x It will of course be understood'that the above dimensions are only exemplary. They may vary For example, in Figure 1 the. solenoid 23. or

both the solenoid 2S and the spring 24 may, if desired, be dispensed with and the movement operated by hand, using the extension 25. as. av

handle.

Any means for restricting the. roller 23 to rotation in only one direction, may be substituted for the ratchet means 12!.

The first and second rollers I] and 18in Figure 1 (and the corresponding rollers in the other. embodiments) described herein as being in peripheral contact, may instead be separateda'nd not be in contact but be-simply adjacent each other, if desired. The illustrated peripheral contact however, is preferred.

For the purposes of this invention the said rollers are regarded as being in peripheral con.- tact even when tape is between them, as, long as they bear against each other. The expression is thus intended to include constructions where the rollers themselves are actually slightly spaced apart to accommodate thick varieties of tape.

Similarly, the first roller H in Figure 1. (and the corresponding rollers in the other embodi-.

ments) is regarded as being in contact at 22 with the object being taped even though the tape lies between them, as. long as the roller bears.

against the object.

I claim:

1. In. a tape applying machine, an. applying movement of the character described'comprising a pivoted arm, a roller rotatably mounted at the free end of the arm for conducting tape into adhesive engagement with the surface of an object being taped at a tape applying station, a second rollerrotatably mounted on the arm adjacent the first. roller, a second pivoted arm adjacent the first. arm, a third roller rotatably mounted at theiree end of the second arm, a passive tape severing means on the second arm near the free end of the arm, means for impelling the free end or" the first arm toward the station with a length.

of tape extending between the first and second rollers, the non-adhesive side of the tape facing the periphery of the first roller, means for 1111- pelling the free end of the second arm toward the station, and means for impelling the free end of the first arm awayfrom the station after a length of tape has been applied to the object, to bring the tape into operative engagement with the passive severing means at a point between thefirst roller. and the object.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the two arms are pivoted about separate axes.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the second arm is pivoted to the first. arm at a point between the free end or the first arm and the axis about which the first arm pivots.

l. The device of claim 1. in which the two arms are pivoted abouta common axis.

ARNOLD E. JOHNSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,418 Salfisberg- Jan. 11, 1944 2,227,171 Anderson Dec. 31, 1940 2,404,317 Salfisberg July 16, 1946 2,511,857 Fritzinger June 20, 1950 2,515,130 Locke et a1. July 11, 1950 

